About ALTEN
ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation. Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow's world—today.
Role
We're looking for a Senior Real-Time Embedded Software Engineer to support the development of mission-critical embedded systems for advanced defence technologies. Working as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will be responsible for designing, developing, integrating, and debugging real-time software solutions, collaborating closely with hardware engineers to deliver high-performance embedded products. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex systems throughout the full software lifecycle, from concept and architecture through to integration, verification, and deployment.
Location: Reading. On-site requirement: 2-3 days per week.
Responsibilities
•Design, develop, and maintain real-time embedded software using modern C++
•Integrate software components, algorithms, and third-party solutions into embedded products
•Support software integration onto target hardware, including board bring-up and hardware-software debugging activities
•Collaborate with systems, hardware, and software engineering teams to develop robust technical solutions
•Translate system and functional requirements into software designs and implementations
•Perform software verification, debugging, testing, and fault investigation activities throughout the development lifecycle
•Contribute to software architecture, design reviews, and technical decision-making
•Support Agile development activities and drive continuous improvement across the software engineering function
Requirements
•Security Clearance: candidates must be willing and eligible to obtain SC clearance
•Strong commercial experience developing embedded software using C++
•Experience developing real-time software for embedded systems within complex engineering environments
•Knowledge of embedded operating systems such as VxWorks, SafeRTOS, Embedded Linux, or similar RTOS platforms
•Experience integrating software onto hardware platforms and supporting hardware bring-up activities
•Understanding of low-level embedded communication interfaces such as UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, CANbus, timers, and interrupt-driven systems
•Experience debugging software on both target hardware and simulated development environments
•Ability to work across the full software development lifecycle in a structured engineering environment
•Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to a range of stakeholders
•Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams
•Proactive and self-motivated approach with strong ownership of technical deliverables
•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage technical complexity and ambiguity
•Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or relevant technical military background with equivalent experience
Desirable
•Experience working within defence, aerospace, or other safety-critical industries
•Knowledge of software development for resource-constrained embedded processors
•Experience with Agile Scrum delivery methodologies and participation in Agile ceremonies
•Familiarity with configuration management, branching strategies, release management, and software baselining tools
•Experience using static analysis, unit testing, integration testing, simulators, and emulators
•Experience contributing to software architecture, technical leadership, or mentoring activities within engineering teams
What we offer
•A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
•A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
•Private Medical Insurance
•Cycle & Tech Scheme
•Employee assistance programme
•Life insurance & Pension Scheme
•Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
•Flexible way of working (role dependent)
This role may require Security Clearance; as part of onboarding, candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check.
